Widely considered the most successful female beach volleyball player, Misty May-Traynor was a smash hit during her time on sand.

May-Treanor, who was born on this day in Los Angeles, California, and turns 39 today, formed a devastating combination with team-mate Kerri Walsh Jennings.

The duo won three straight Olympic gold medals from 2004-2012 and were victorious in 21 consecutive Olympic matches, losing just one set during their 11-year run.

May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings also won three straight FIVB world championships in 2005, 2007 and 2009. In total, May-Treanor won 112 individual championships in domestic and international competitions.

She retired in 2012 after capturing her last Olympic gold medal with Walsh Jennings in the London Games.

1964: Jurgen Klinsmann, German football manager for the U.S. men’s national team and former striker (52).

1980: Justin Rose, English golfer who won the 2013 U.S. Open and has seven PGA Tour victories (36).

1982: James Anderson, cricketer who is England’s all-time highest international wicket-taker in ODIs and Tests (34).

1981: Hope Solo, American football goalkeeper for the U.S. women’s national team (35).